Finks bikie boss Mark Balsillie Brighton mansion police raid, Digi Mart USA News (Brighton, Victoria, Australia): Police have raided an $18 million Brighton mansion occupied by Finks national president Mark Balsillie, following a campaign of violence against embattled property developer Simon Pitard and his family’s aged care empire. Detectives from Taskforce Echo searched the residence on November 6, hours after two masked men fired 10 shots at an Arcare aged care facility in Maidstone.
The raid followed the firebombing of Pitard’s Brighton property on October 27, when two luxury cars were destroyed. On October 28, an innocent 52-year-old woman was seriously burned when her Cheltenham townhouse was firebombed in a case of mistaken identity, an incident also under investigation.
Police also carried out firearm prohibition order compliance searches at five other properties, but no arrests were made.
According to the report by The Age, federal law enforcement agencies have been investigating the ownership of the mansion and a recent $11 million loan application in the name of a 23-year-old associate of Balsillie. Land title records list Pankaj “Harry” Goyal as the registered owner, while five underworld and property industry sources told the publication that Balsillie has lived in the home for six months and had said he was buying it from Goyal.
Goyal confirmed he owns the property but said Balsillie “is definitely not on the lease”. The Age states it does not suggest any wrongdoing by Goyal or any involvement with the Finks.
The publication also reports that Balsillie did not respond to requests for comment and that it does not suggest he is involved in the campaign of violence against Pitard. The 23-year-old associate is reportedly expected to be interviewed next month by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, which declined to comment.
Victoria Police has created a specialist taskforce combining officers from Taskforce Echo, Operation Phoenix and the Viper Taskforce to target the gang. Detective Superintendent Wayne Cheesman said, “if you choose to continue your involvement in serious and organised crime, Victoria Police is coming after you.”
